The chief executive of Alzheimer’s Society Kate Lee is among charity leaders to be recognised in the New Year Honours list.

She has been awarded an OBE for services to charity after more than 13 years leading not for profit organisations.

Prior to joining the Alzheimer’s Society in March 2020, she spent almost five years leading CLIC Sargent, which is now called Young Lives vs Cancer.

She also spent five years leading Myton Hospice from 2010 and is a former director of strategy and corporate performance at the British Red Cross, where she worked for more than 15 years.

“I have been very lucky to spend my career leading amazing teams to deliver deep and meaningful impact for people who need support, said Lee.

“This award is a lovely way to mark the success of all the incredible organisations I've worked with across a diverse and vibrant charity sector."

Huge congratulations to our Chief Exec Kate Lee who has been awarded an OBE as part of the New Year Honours for her services to charity. 💙 @KateLeeCEO pic.twitter.com/JIs2LJH31H

— Alzheimer's Society (@alzheimerssoc) December 30, 2023

Neil and Angela Dickson, founders of The Brain Tumour Charity, have also been awarded OBEs in this year’s list.

They founded the charity after the couple’s daughter Samantha died in 1996 after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

“Angela and I are delighted to receive OBEs in the News Year honours. We have worked tirelessly over the last 26 years to increase research and provide support services for patients and families diagnosed with this devastating disease,” said Neil Dickson.

“These awards are also a big thank you to the brain tumour community in the UK which has united to make such a difference.

“We still have a mountain to climb but major progress has been made since the dark days of 1996. Samantha would have been so proud that her legacy has benefited others.”

A huge congratulations to our founders, Neil and Angela Dickson, who have received OBEs in the New Year’s Honours in recognition of their dedication to establishing the world’s largest brain tumour charity.

More info: https://t.co/sdPR2CGQ7y pic.twitter.com/u5ngmZ9XM6

— The Brain Tumour Charity (@BrainTumourOrg) December 30, 2023

Other charity leaders to be recognised in the New Year Honours list include Refuge’s chair Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, who has received a CBE for services to support affected by domestic abuse and domestic homicide.

She has been leading the charity’s board since 2020 and is also co-founder of the Joanna Simpson Foundation, which supports children impacted by domestic abuse and is named after her friend who was murdered by her former husband.

“I was deeply moved and overwhelmed when I found out I was going to receive this honour - it would not be happening, and I would not be doing my work were it not for my beautiful friend Joanna Simpson who lost her life so brutally at the hands of her estranged husband,” Barkwort-Nanton.

She added: “This honour is testament to those many individuals who dedicate themselves to this cause, survivors of domestic abuse who bravely tell their story, and the family and friends who support them.”

Refuge is thrilled that the Chair of our Board Hetti Barkworth-Nanton @hetnanton, has been recognised in the New Year’s Honours 2024 list, receiving a CBE for her services to people affected by domestic abuse and domestic homicide.

Read more: https://t.co/lvG0zZw45S pic.twitter.com/msjFmEWZZU

— Refuge (@RefugeCharity) December 29, 2023

Meanwhile, the founder of the Ripple Suicide Prevention charity Alice Hendy has been awarded an MBE for servies to online safety. Hendy created an internet extension that intercepts harmful online searches relating to suicide and self harm after her younger brother Josh took his own life.

She was told about the award in the same week she marked the third anniversary of her brother’s death.

“It was very poignant to be told the news on that week. It had been a difficult week and then the letter arrived, and it was quite sad,” she said.

“Setting up my charity was never about recognition. It was about making sure other people get the support they need when they’re most vulnerable.

“I am incredibly humbled that I am getting recognised.”

Glastonbury Festival charity fundraiser honoured

Charity fundraisers are also among those honoured, including Glastonbury Festival organiser Michael Eavis, who has been awarded a knighthood for services to music and charity. He had previously been awarded a CBE in 2007.

This year the festival raised more than £3.7m for good causes. During 2023 a further 20 social houses were opened in Pilton, next to the festival site in Somerset to provide homes to local residents. These were built on land donated by Eavis.

It's just been announced that Glastonbury Festival's creator Michael Eavis has been awarded a knighthood in the New Year Honours list, for services to music and charity. Read a new interview with Sir Michael over on the Glastonbury website now! pic.twitter.com/od4h4lytaM

— Glastonbury Festival (@glastonbury) December 29, 2023

“I’ve been in the village all my life and I’ve seen all the council houses sold off, so there were no houses left to rent for working people, he said.

“And private renting can be a nightmare. I think it’s so important to have a permanent stock of houses to rent at an affordable price. So that was the most important thing for me to do in this village really.”

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